Introducing a telemonitoring platform for diabetic patients in primary care: Will it increase the socio-digital divide?

Abstract

AimsThis study investigates whether diabetes patients visiting a primary care setting are interested in using a telemonitoring platform and if so, whether characteristics of interested users could be distinguished. MethodsThree questionnaires were administered by 92 diabetes persons recruited between May and September 2011. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed. Special attention was drawn to include patients with low educational levels. ResultsPatients with middle or high educational levels show quite some interest in the use of a telemonitoring platform, especially for the transmission of glycaemic data or for asking questions. Patients with low educational levels only show a minor interest in using such a platform. ConclusionsIt is possibly worthwhile to implement a telemonitoring platform in a primary care setting; however this study did not show immediate profit for implementation in a CHC that organises diabetes clinics on regular basis. In primary care settings where it will be implemented, even if there is a social–digital divide today, the use of a telemonitoring platform could possibly reduce inequity in health care as time could become available for those most in need for face-to-face contact with their physician.